4 Expert Tips for Fearlessly Changing Your Career

Drew Hendricks
, ContributorI cover what entrepreneurs are looking to learn.Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.

Are you considering a major career change in the near future? According to research from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), you’re not alone. SHRM reports that about 19 percent of US employees are unsatisfied with their careers. Most employees considering a switch prioritize fair compensation, job security, opportunities to use their skills effectively, and a good relationship with an immediate supervisor.

If you’re interested in joining the job-satisfied 81%, here are 5 tips from HR and professional development experts on making a successful switch.

First Tip: Don’t Get Eliminated Before You Apply

Laszlo Bock, the SVP of People Operations at Google, made waves with a recent LinkedIn post where he named the most common mistakes he sees on resumes submitted to the company. Some standouts:

TYPOS: Think you’re safe from typos because you constantly revise? Think again. “People who tweak their resumes the most carefully can be especially vulnerable to this kind of error, because they often result from going back again and again to fine tune their resumes just one last time.” Bock recommends reading your resume from the bottom up to detect small errors.

LENGTH: Opt for one resume page per ten years of work experience. A resume longer than that won’t get read, says Bock, reminding us that “the sole purpose of a resume is to get you an interview. That’s it.” No need to deliver your life story.

CONFIDENTIALITY: Don’t deliver any identifying information about companies you’ve worked for if you are under a confidentiality policy. Such resumes will instantly be tossed away, says Bock emphatically.

Second Tip: Don’t Let Career Change Anxiety Sink You

Susan Biali, M.D. of Psychology Today recommends writing down exactly what you’re afraid of. Once the fears are listed, it’s much easier to recognize that even your worst-case scenarios aren’t the end of the world.

“Any time you’re out of your comfort zone,” says Biali, “you’re going to feel anxious. Just because you feel anxious doesn’t mean something bad is going to happen.” Biali references personal experience with anxiety: “Most of the time, anxiety means something really great is going on and that I’m moving through new territory in the direction of my dreams.”

Remember that when major changes are occurring, anxiety simply comes with the territory. Recognize it, but don’t bow to it.

Third Tip: Be Authentic

In his LinkedIn post, Bock emphasized the importance of being honest when applying for a new job. Ultimately, if you’re looking to shift careers in order to more appropriately use your skills, talents, and interests, you have no choice but to take an honest look at those factors. How can you choose a fulfilling, challenging job if you’re not sure what fulfills and challenges you?

According to authentic leadership coach Kathleen O’Grady of Raleigh Coaching LLC, an important first step is to refuse to compromise on your true values. “When what you do for a living goes from a means to earn an income to an absolute moral imperative, you have found your life’s calling,” she says. “Stop listening to everyone else and start listening to yourself. You are the only qualified expert to lead your life.”

Fourth Tip: Use A Self-Assessment

If you have a difficult time figuring out what you would rather be doing, use one of the many self-assessments available online. These quizzes are simply designed to get you thinking about what you enjoy, how you see your professional life, where your skills lie, and what industry is a good fit for you.

Even if you already feel comfortable in your industry, it may be beneficial to reconsider your core values, strengths, and career goals with a simple assessment. I recommend this downloadable questionnaire from The Muse as a starting point.

Ultimately, a switch to a more satisfying career is within your grasp. Stay positive, be true to your values, and go for it.